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apihtawikosisan

Chelsea Vowel is a Métis from the Plains Cree speaking community of Lac Ste. Anne, Alberta. She is the mother of two energetic girls and holds a BEd and an LLB from the University of Alberta. She moved to Montreal a few years ago, fell in love with Roller Derby and decided to stay permanently. Her passions are the Cree language, strapping on roller skates and smashing into other women, and attacking the shroud of ignorance surrounding indigenous issues in Canada. She blogs at <a href="http://apihtawikosisan.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">apihtawikosisan.com</a>. Follow her on Twitter [url=https://twitter.com/apihtawikosisan]@apihtawikosisan[/url].

Âpihtawikosisân, Tania Willard| Indigenous women and two-spirited peoples work not to attain gender equality, but rather to restore Indigenous nationhood, which includes gender equality and respect for gender fluidity.

Âpihtawikosisân| To hear some people talk, the Tsilhqot'in decision spells the end of "modern democracy." Chelsea Vowel tackles this fear-mongering and the western liberal myth of a "level playing field."

Âpihtawikosisân| In Âpihtawikosisân's new video game, you play the character sâkowêw, a Cree girl who is sent by her Elders to gather land defenders in the city to stop a pipeline project from evil Enkoch industries!

Âpihtawikosisân| Jeff Barnaby's Rhymes for Young Ghouls offers a glimpse into social dysfunction that is directly linked to the way in which every aspect of life on reserve is in some way governed by the Indian Act.

Âpihtawikosisân| Despite the plethora of informative articles about the ongoing struggle at Elispogtog First Nation, and the RCMP raid there on October 17, most mainstream media have missed important elements.

Âpihtawikosisân| Indigenous people have apparently been experiencing the slowest apocalypse in human history. Because over 500 years after Contact, millions of First Peoples continue to exist all over the Americas.

Âpihtawikosisân| Chelsea Vowel provides some excellent resources on the RCMP's raid on a peaceful blockade by members of the Elsipogtog Mi'kmaq First Nation (ignoring the many colonialist voices in the media).

Âpihtawikosisân| Âpihtawikosisân proposes a series of "sovereignty summer schools," akin to "Freedom Schools" during the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, to protect the land, children and education of Aboriginal peoples.

Âpihtawikosisân| The Canadian education system is failing indigenous peoples. This is not a matter of debate. Regardless of personal opinions, bigotry and stereotypes, the grim statistics paint a very clear picture.

Âpihtawikosisân| Just one day after tens of thousands people took to the streets of Vancouver in support of reconciliation, the Nanaimo Daily News once again published a racist rant against Aboriginal peoples.

Âpihtawikosisân| 2013 has seen some very telling public opinions depicting indigenous peoples in a less than flattering light. If First Nations peoples are to make any progress, we need to flip the national narrative.

Âpihtawikosisân| This is not just about Bill C-45. Canada has not committed itself to addressing the colonial relationship it still has with indigenous peoples. Canada is in denial about that relationship.

Âpihtawikosisân| Western liberal notions of 'equality' and 'freedom' apparently continue to mean 'assimilation' for First Nations, just as they did back in 1969 when the infamous White Paper was tabled.